With an eye toward the elections for the Berlin House of Representatives and the district assemblies on September 20, 2026, the Berlin Soccer Association has presented sports policy demands to the capital’s democratic parties. The paper was developed in collaboration with representatives of Berlin soccer clubs on the BFV Advisory Board; it addresses the topics of land use planning and sports infrastructure, administrative modernization and reducing bureaucracy, as well as volunteerism and civic engagement, and identifies specific areas requiring action. The goal is to sustainably improve the framework conditions for the more than 400 BFV member clubs. As the largest sports association and the most important user of the capital’s outdoor sports facilities, the BFV fully supports the sports policy demands of the Berlin State Sports Federation (LSB) with this initiative.

BFV President Bernd Schultz emphasizes: “More than 240,000 people are members of a Berlin soccer club. In addition, this sport inspires many more people who are not part of organized structures. Every day, soccer makes an important contribution to education, health, integration, and social cohesion. To ensure our clubs can continue to fulfill their roles in the future, we need reliable framework conditions and greater political commitment. We are not fully tapping into the social potential that sports offer—which is why our demands are also an offer to future decision-makers: Let’s unlock this potential!”

Sustainable Sports Infrastructure, Administrative Processes, and Support for Volunteers

The BFV sees a significant need for action, particularly regarding the development and modernization of Berlin’s sports facilities. This includes the targeted elimination of existing renovation backlogs, the (re)activation of unused facilities and sites with potential, and the rapid completion of key projects such as the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn Sports Park or the Willi-Sänger Sports Complex.

In addition to infrastructure issues, the BFV advocates for the modernization of administrative processes to provide stronger support to clubs that wish to contribute through their own efforts. Furthermore, procedures across Berlin’s districts must be standardized.

To strengthen volunteerism, the BFV calls for a clear political commitment as well as a culture of recognition with tangible benefits, such as free use of public transportation or the creation of time budgets for volunteer work.

The full BFV paper can be viewed here: BFV’s Sports Policy Demands for the 2026 Berlin House of Representatives Election